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Shanker grants available for teachers to seek national certification April 28, 2005 The state Albert Shanker Grant program is accepting applications from teachers interested in defraying the cost of National Board Certification. The grant program, which the Legislature passed years ago after full-court-press lobbying by New York State United Teachers, covers the $2,365 cost of the certification process. National Board Certification was conceived by union pioneer Albert Shanker, and championed by longtime NYSUT Vice President Antonia Cortese (now the executive president of the American Federation of Teachers). It is a gold standard for teaching in which a teacher demonstrates his or her mastery of subject and pedagogy. Some NYSUT locals have negotiated provisions in their contracts providing incentives for teachers to pursue the year-long National Board Certification process and reward them for achievement. Participants go through a rigorous program to become certified in any one of 24 areas which reflect teaching subjects and student ages. Certification is valid for 10 years, with a renewal option after eight. To qualify for a Shanker grant, certified teachers must live and work in the state, have three years experience and teach in a public school. Information is available by e-mailing Stu Horn (shorn@nysutmail.org), at the NYSUT Division of Research and Educational Services, or see the link to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Web site from the NYSUT site, www.nysut.org. |
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